Michelle Forziati flirts with musical manipulation on the seductive ‘Strings’

The Massachusetts pop artist and film actress lets the music set the mood through a hypnotic new alt-R&B single out Friday, July 26

NOW PLAYING: Listen to ‘Strings’ via Spotify

Forziati appeared in the 2017 film ‘Stronger’ with Jake Gyllenhaal

BOSTON, Mass. [July 26, 2024] -- It may sound like a controversial opinion, but Michelle Forziati doesn’t mind being manipulated. Especially when it comes to music and the spiritual effect it has on the Massachusetts pop singer and artist. 

Forziati is now ready to put that sentiment behind a beat, releasing a seductive new alt-R&B single called “Strings” on Friday, July 26. It’s the follow-up to April’s “Stranger,” which found the multihyphenate creative – a former ballroom dance instructor who also played the role of Jill Hurley in the 2017 Jake Gyllenhaal-leading biographical drama film Stronger, about Jeff Bauman’s recovery in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing – taking her musical output to new, ambitious heights.

Coincidentally, Forziati’s role of Hurley centered around a character whose strength and determination helped her family navigate through dark times. In real life, the Medford native is drawing from her own strength and sense of self to create the type of music she not only wants to create, but act as a portal towards self-expression. 

But where “Stranger” was a look inward at the person she has become, the sleek and swirling “Strings” – which blooms fully for the listener when heard through headphones or stereo speakers – finds Forziati looking out at the people around her. She drops rapid-fire lyrical verses as a swell of atmospheric beats and guitar tones glide effortlessly over its 3:35 runtime, realizing how the music we create can not only soundtrack our next move, but dictate it.   

“I absolutely love guitars, they just speak to every part of me,” Forziati says. “The sounds they create are mesmerizing and almost put me in a trance. ‘Strings’ is about loving the sound of a guitar so much that the person playing it captivates me and I fall in love. However, it's manipulative because the performer knows it and he abuses that love.” 

Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Monty Dale at Graybeard Recording Studios, “Strings” features guitar by Michael Strakus and bass by Steve Constantino, two players known in the Boston music scene for their work in Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures. All three are core members of Forziati’s creative orbit, and the collaborative nature brings out the best in her songwriting. 

“There's nothing like getting together with other musicians, especially if you admire them and how they create,” Forziati says. “The energy that we all give to one another is freeing and beautiful. I love how ideas come about and flow. Music is and should always be collaborative.” 

With its sonic hypnotism and snake-charmer glide, “Strings” continues to shape Forziati as an intriguing new voice of pop music in an otherwise stodgy rock and roll city of Boston. Before the emotive and aching “Stranger” arrived in the spring, Forziati dropped a pair of tone-setting debut singles last year: A stirring piano-led ballad titled “Echo To Me,” about her uncle who passed away; and “Familiar Face,” a frantic, heavy pop-R&B banger about the anger she feels after not recognizing who she’s become. 

Themes of self-expression and self-exploration have emerged throughout her blossoming creative musical spectrum, which falls under the loose umbrella of “pop” but incorporates elements of alternative, R&B, and trip-hop. Forziati, inspired by the writings and teachings of music legend Victor Wooten, treats music as a conversation – a two-way street in conveying and understanding emotion, both given and received. And here, she’s firmly on the receiving end as she works through the emotions of seduction.  

“I always bring my songwriting back to Victor Wooten,” Forziati admits. “His outlook on music being a conversation shaped my structure of songwriting. Physically I'm in one of three places while I'm writing. I'm either on the floor, sitting on my bed, or in the bath. I utilize BeatStars to find a beat to write to. Once I find one that pulls on my heart strings, I start writing.”

Forziati also subscribes to the loose idea that music aligns with the seasons, and the vibe of “Strings,” which rises like smoke off a sun-soaked strip of asphalt, reflects one of summer and sunlight. Even with the theme of manipulation at the core. 

“This song sounds like my heart,” she notes. “String instruments, especially guitars, literally touch my heart and soul, they just captivate me and make me feel deeply. I'm learning to write and make the songs I want to listen to, songs that make me happy and 'Strings' makes my heart smile.”

It’s the best kind of manipulation. 

‘Strings’ single credits:

Music and lyrics by Michelle Forziati 

Mixed, and mastered by Monty Dale at Graybeard Recording Studio in Framingham, MA 

Bass by Steve Constantino

Guitar by Michael Strakus

‘Strings’ single artwork:

Michelle Forziati short bio:

Michelle Forziati is a singer, musician, actress, and dancer from Massachusetts. A former ballroom dance instructor, she played the role of Jilly Hurley in the 2017 biographical drama film Stronger, about Jeff Bauman’s recovery, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing. In 2023, she tapped into a longtime passion by venturing into music with two alt-pop and R&B singles in “Echo To Me” and “Familiar Face.” Forziati released two new singles – April’s “Stranger” and July’s “Strings’ – both recorded with Monty Dale at Graybeard Recording Studio in Framingham, MA in 2024.  

Media praise for Michelle Forziati:

The music of Michaelle Forziati can be heard on BumbleBee Radio, WMFO (“On The Town with Mikey Dee”), North of Boston Radio (“Everything You Know Is Wrong”), Mark Skin Radio (“Original Music Showcase,” “Marc’s Alt-Rock Playground”), PipiloPop, Citywide Blackout, Click Roll Boom, Moosic Entertainment, ZenoFM, and other fine stations, shows, blogs, and platforms…

“...of note” _Stereogum

“Think New Kids On The Block circa The Block meets Portishead if you’re looking for a simple comparison of the ‘Stranger’ sound but beyond that, there’s nothing simple about the sounds that Forziati conjured up… A song about reconnecting with your faith, whatever that might be, ‘Stranger’ has all the makings of the next big thing surrounded by Trip-Hop style beats and piano lines (Tricky’s early works come to mind) with Forziati’s rich range at the center providing passion and power to each note sung.” _Rock and Roll Fables

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